NKU students talk about presidential debate

Students at Northern Kentucky University were able to provide instant reaction Wednesday night to the presidential debate.

Throughout the debate, questions appeared on a screen and students could text in their answers in real time.

The first question was posed before the debate began and asked if the students had made up their mind on who to vote for.

Seventy-two percent said they had made up their mind, and 28 percent said they hadn't.

When the debate began, other questions asked which candidate seemed more confident, who made better arguments and who seemed more trustworthy?

For many students, the answers crossed party lines.

Opinions were made based on all kinds of observations, and the students seemed to choose a winner based more on how the candidates behaved than the substance of what was said.

"Romney is composed. He has his points straight, and you can just tell by the facial expressions. Obama is looking flustered tonight, and you can tell that Obama is getting what he hasn't gotten ever – a smack in the face," Romney supporter Patrick Reagan said.

An Obama supporter agreed in part.

"I feel like I'm understanding Gov. Romney better, but I think as where explaining it to where everybody can understand the policy, I think Obama is doing better," Obama supporter Marley Bush said.

Other students came in supporting the president, and stood by him throughout the debate, but not necessarily because of his performance.

"I've been going on the Obama side mostly because he's been there for four years now. Gov. Romney has been governor of Massachusetts for a while, but I feel like Obama has more of a slight edge," Obama supporter John Tansey said.

For at least one student, who admitted to being undecided at the start of the night, declared the winner to be Romney, who will get his vote.

"He's showing confidence in himself, which is giving me more confidence in what he wants to do," student Raymond Alenander said.

It's not known what the party makeup was of the students who answered the questions, but Romney came out on top on 14 questions, and Obama won three questions.

The students said Obama had a better sense of humor, fewer annoying mannerisms and understood the students better.

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